Behind the Story ~Her Cinderella Complex by Jenna Bayley-Burke
Driving is just not my thing. I know, some people love a road trip, and I like them, just don’t put me behind the wheel. I just don’t have the attention span. I always volunteer to carpool so that I don’t have to drive, and the Emerald City Writer’s Conference in 2006 was no exception.
I wanted to work in everything I read romance for – secret crushes, private islands, an enigmatic hero and a lovable heroine. During the drive I waxed poetic about how I hoped to work in a Jaguar and sex in a pool. Not together, but you get the idea.
At the conference, Cherry Adair challenged everyone to commit to finishing the book they were working on before next year’s conference. No problem, I had two NaNoWriMo workshops to lead. I had to be done by November. I signed up, had a great conference, and spent the drive home thinking of more fun things to work into the book – like stranding my heroine on the island in the middle of lake Shastina with nothing but a suitcase of lingerie!
I finished the book, loving every second of writing it. When Samhain loved it as much as I did, I was thrilled, especially since I was able to come to the 2007 Emerald City Writer’s Conference and share the news as dozens of us stood before the group as those who’d met Cherry’s challenge.
Loving romance novels and Cherry Adair, that’s what’s behind the story of Her Cinderella Complex. Thanks for letting me share such a happy memory.
Jenna Bayley-Burke
http://www.jennabayley-burke.blogspot.com/
